Philippine Red Cross emergency response teams on the ground in the worst affected areas estimate estimate that the storm left substantial humanitarian needs, affecting close to 600,000 people. In provinces such as Catanduanes, Marinduque, Camarines Sur and Albay, where the typhoon made landfall, high winds and heavy rains felled trees and power lines and caused landslides in some areas making roads impassable.

“Over 70,000 homes have been reported damaged or destroyed and we estimate that these numbers will only increase as we get a clearer picture of the situation. Local livelihoods have suffered losses with farm land flooded and damage to banana, coconut and abaca crops,” said Patrick Elliott, Operations Manager for the IFRC in Philippines. “Some of the most severely affected provinces are islands and reaching them is not easy. The logistics involved in delivering relief items will be challenging.”

As well as conducting rapid needs assessments, Philippine Red Cross teams have been working in evacuation centres providing cooked meals to thousands of people who left their homes before the storm made landfall. Most are now returning to their communities.

The IFRC appeal will enable the Philippine Red Cross to provide emergency relief and longer term recovery support to affected communities over the coming seven months with a focus on non-food relief, health and provision of clean water, livelihoods recovery and support to repair and rebuild houses.

“People have lost their homes and many of their possession. We aim to provide them with essential household items such as mosquito nets, tarpaulins, water containers, sleeping mats and personal hygiene items,” explained Richard Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross.

Where water supply systems have been damaged, the Philippine Red Cross will also deploy equipment and teams able to produce clean water for 10,000 people daily. Averting any outbreaks of disease will also be a top priority. Red Cross volunteers will conduct awareness campaigns to ensure good hygiene practises as poor sanitation in some of the affected areas mean that communities are most susceptible to health issues, such as diarrhoea, dengue and acute respiratory infections.

“Looking ahead we will also be providing people with cash grants so that they can meet their household expenses and make repairs to their homes,” said Mr Gordon. “It is important to remember that in recent months, the Philippines has been struck by four major typhoons and it is often the same people who get hit each time by these storms. Our aim is to help them to recover from the impact of the typhoon but also increase their resilience to future shocks.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 mil­lion people each year through its 190 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.